US has been 'intimidated by Russia' says Ex-Nato ambassador
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Kurt Volker said the US President’s State of the Union address had “great rhetoric” on standing up to Putin but little action. He noted that Joe Biden “fears” a direct conflict with Russia. Sky’s Trevor Phillips asked: “Mr Biden in his State of the Union address this week, I think he devoted not much more than about 10 minutes to Ukraine which seems like a surprise given the circumstances.
“Do you think that was an indication that the US now thinks there is relatively little they can do to change the course of Mr Putin’s actions?”
Mr Volker said: “I do want to give Mr Biden credit on two fronts; he did speak extensively about Ukraine, 10 minutes in a State of the Union is significant and it was the first topic he brought up.
“He gave it some priority.
“Secondly, his rhetoric about defending democracy and standing up to Putin’s aggression, I thought that was great.
“The problem is the actions have not matched that rhetoric and we have been intimidated by Russia, fearing that he might reach for a nuclear weapon, fearing a direct conflict with Russian forces that could escalate.
“So, rather than deterring Russia, he is deterring us.”
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